Haunted New York

New York in autumn feels both festive and unsettled: Something about the changing weather makes us curious about the cycle of life and death. It’s the perfect time to reflect upon all the feet that have walked these streets before us, and all the eyes that have watched the city evolve. Some of these eyes seem to be watching us still. You can scarcely walk a block in Manhattan without encountering a haunted landmark.

Right about now, you may feel an urgent need to leave Manhattan, and why shouldn't you? For a healthy dose of horror, just visit the Amityville Horror House on terrifying Long Island.

On Nov. 13, 1974, Ronald and Louise DeFeo and their two sons and two daughters were all shot to death in their beds. Ronald, Jr., the only surviving member of the family, was then sent to prison.

George and Kathy Lutz and their three children moved into the house the next year. The Lutz family allegedly experienced unexplainable paranormal events, such as cabinets slamming shut, doors suddenly breaking, green slime coming from the ceilings, swarms of insects attacking, the materialization of "a demonic face with red glowing eyes" and the appearance of ominous hoof-prints in the snow, according to Snopes.com. Apparently, when a priest came to bless the house, a voice told him to "get out!"

The Lutz family concluded that the house was pure evil, and that it probably drove Ronald, Jr. to murder his family. A book, "The Amityville Horror: A True Story," written by Jay Anson and published in 1977, later gained instant public attention. A number of films have been made about the story, including the 2005 remake of "Amityville Horror," featuring Ryan Reynolds.

The truth of the story remains in doubt, but national interest in the tale clearly has not dwindled.